Keep Out

 

People wear helmets in many different situations but ultimately, it’s for the same reason; to protect their head. Construction workers, football teams and in some states motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets. Soldiers also wear helmets in the midst of battle.

What’s so important about our heads that we want to protect? They hold our minds…our brains…our thoughts.

In Ephesians 6:17 it says…

“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”

The helmet of salvation is our spiritual defense weapon. It protects our mind from debilitating thoughts. When we put on these helmets of salvation, we are asking God to guard our minds. We’re telling the enemy to “Keep Out” and stay out.

What’s so dangerous that could hurt our minds? The world is full of things that come at us visually and audibly. Some things are right there in front of us and others more subtle.

The enemy works against our minds by trying to fill our thoughts with doubt, fear and deception. “You’re worthless”, “No one cares about you”, “You’re too messed up for God to ever really love you.” "If it makes you happy then it must be right"

Lies, lies and more lies.

Protecting ourselves with a helmet of salvation helps us to maintain the truth that God speaks into our hearts and minds.

“You are loved” “You are forgiven” “You are mine” “You are never too far gone.” "My ways are greater than your ways."

Sin begins in the mind and like a wild fire can get out of control quickly. Temptation itself is not sin, but it takes us to a very vulnerable place.

“For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”-Mark 7:21-23

Jesus is teaching us a simple, yet profound truth: things from within have a direct correlation with things that take place on the outside. Thoughts come before acts, so we have to make a deliberate and conscious effort to keep the wrong thoughts out.

The “heart” here refers to the mind. This we know because He goes on to say “thoughts” proceed or come from the “heart”. Evil or sinful thoughts come before evil or sinful actions – the origin of an evil action is found in the mind.

When we allow things to creep into our minds that don’t belong there, they can start to grow. That’s why we don’t want them to get in to begin with. That’s why we are told to put on our helmet of salvation in order to help us keep out the things that don't have any business taking up residence in our mind. 

A bad thought that pops into our head can be understood as a temptation. When we choose to not reject it, but instead, entertain it, and accept that thought, this is the point in which we choose to sin in thought, which often times leads us to sin in act.

But God always offers a way out.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”- 1 Corinthians 10:13

What are you watching, reading, looking at or talking about?

Paul understood this vulnerability of ours and speaks into it in Philippians 4:8….

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Paul knew that many times what we let in and focus our thoughts on becomes what we take action on.

As Lent approaches we enter in to a time of reflection; a time when we evaluate our hearts and minds. It’s a time we gather up all the garbage we’ve been collecting or giving our time to and repent it to God. We lay it all at His feet. It’s a time of “Spring Cleaning” in a way.

Have you ever cleaned out your garage or closet and said “I’m not going to let it get like that again!” But what happens? Before we know it, things start to pile up. 

In order to keep things in order we have to be intentional each and every day.

The assurance of salvation is our impenetrable defense against anything the enemy throws at us. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” Matthew 10:28. The idea in this verse is that, as we prepare for Satan’s attacks, we must grab that helmet and buckle it on tightly, each day.

Salvation is not limited to a one-time act of the past or even a future hope, like that one time we clean out the closet.

God’s salvation is an ongoing, eternal state that His children enjoy in the present. It is daily protection and deliverance from our sin nature and Satan’s schemes.

Lent is often described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. This means that it’s a time for personal reflection that prepares people’s hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.

Let’s start by doing some inventory in our hearts and minds. And as we do let’s hang our "Keep Out" signs and check that our helmets are intact each day, so we don’t allow any new clutter to collect.

Let’s choose to guard our minds from excessive worldly influence and instead think on things that honor God. In doing so, we wear our salvation as a protective helmet that will “guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” 

"You will keep in perfect peace

all who trust in you,

all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" -Isaiah 26:3

 

-Pastor Patti